davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

sooner than any Of the advocates Of
railroad commission for Vermont could have
anticipated and IN a form such az few
would have cared to contemplate. the occa-
sion has come for the commission to prove
that it exists for purpose, and that pur-
pose the service of the people and that no
mistake was made 10y the Governor in nam
ing any of its members. M commission in
any state has ever had such a weight of re
sponsibility thrown upon it as has come to
the Vermont commission before it has been
three months in active existence II was
with feeling Of positive and great relief
that every man in this section remembered
last Saturday morning that the state had
commission to investigate the disaster, the
news Of which came with such sickening
shock And we cannot but believe that the
Central Vermont managers themselves felt
an equal degree Of relief when they re
membered that here was a legal tribunal
whose duty it was to investigate impartial
ly and do equal Justice between the railroad
company and the excited public
So far it would seem that the com
mission have shown proper realization of
the responsibility which rests upon them
and of the work which they have to do.
The newspaper men who are on the scene
agree in saying that ex-Gov Pingree, the
chairman, shows an excellent grasp Of the
whole subject, and that his bearing indi-
Gates that he means to sift the case to the
bottom, and give to the public every at
tainable fact. The result of the investga-
ton and the final report can alone show
whether he succeeds in doing this If he
does he and his colleagues of the board will
have done all the public requires of them.
The people ask simply for thoroughness,
candor and faithful impartiality. In no
section of the state was the demand for
railroad commission more urgent than in
| Windham county, but it was in no spirit of
antagonism to the railroads that they urged
the passage Of Il commission law The sum
of their demand has been that the state
should have a law and Il commission which
should he as fair and as just for the rail
roads as for the people. Now that the test
has come all that they ask is that the result
reached shall justify their reasonable and
| legitimate eXDpCtatiOus
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

of d. b. Wesson of the well known firm of
Smith x Wesson, the revolver makers He
was accompanying his sisterin law, Miss
Lowell to her home III Montreal and intend
ed to stay in. the city until after the car
nival When the accident occurred Miss
Lowell was asleep in the bottom berth of
the st. Adams sleeper and Mr., Wesson was
in the upper berth. She was left free, but
Mr.. Wesson was pinned down by beam
across his chest, which probably caused his
death by internal injuries, for when recov-
cred the body was only burned about the
side of the face. Miss Lowell was saved by
James Kiley of Burke, n. Y, who pulled her
up through the window by the hair
Mr.. Kiley was one of two old men of 60,
twins, who were travelling together. One
was taken and the other left, and the sur
vivor was completely broken down by the
affection. He removed the body of his
brother to their home in New York the
next day 81 want Just as good a coffin
for him as you've got, he said to the un-
dertaker, and then broke down in sobs
Young DiIIOn's Death.
One of the saddest incidents connected
with the disaster was the death of Edward
f. Dillon, son of William Dillon, IA wooden
manufacturer of Springfield, Vt, a student
at Dartmouth, who was riding with his
friend and college chum, A. b. Neazey, son
of Judge Veazey Of Rutland Both were
in the same berth. After the crash young
Veazey crowded out through car window
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
MINOR NOTES.

Serious irregularities, amounting to $780,
600, have been discovered in the accounts
of John c. Leighton, who retired as clerk
of the Boston municipal criminal court Jan.
LIST
Gov" W. II. H. Bingham has resigned
his position as president of the Vermont
Mutual Fire Insurance company, which he
has held for 10 years, aud at the monthly
meeting of the directors held last week f.
E. Smith, the vice president, was elected
president Mr. Bingham will remain one
Of the directors of the company. The Yer
mont Mutual was established in lS2s, and
has nearly completed its Goth year 1t
claims to have furnished cheaper insurance
on an average during all this time than any
other company, either home or foreign.
The administration has got new baby
1t is Mrs. Secretary Whtney's.
The Senate has finally passed the much
| discussed bill which makes it unlawful for
any Senator or Member of Congress To act
as attorney in any case in opposition to the
rights of the United States. This will shut
off the receipt of fees from the great rail
road companies in cases affecting their in
terests which are likely to come before Con
gress for Legislation.
Both houses of the Nevada Legislature
have adopted resolutions DISTINGUISHING the
Mormons in that state. The coil is tighten
ing.
The Salt Lake City Tribune denies that
Brigham has risen, but says that his ghost
still fingers in the tabernacle and the tthinl
yard.
The Senate has passed the bill to refunC
the direct war tax to the states, which will
reduce the surplus by about 500, O0O,O0O
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

j, H. Stowe Son recently sold o. II.
Copeland pair of calves 10 months old
that weighed 1900 pounds They also have
two other pairs-one pair one year old
weighing 1850, the other pair eleven months
old weighing 1880
Drs. Rice and Titus removed a cancerous
foot from Nelson Raymond on Wednesday.
Mr.. Raymond is said to be doing well.
Justice Titus bound Arthur Breningstahl
over TO county court on Monday on "A
charge of taking money from Burr & Ames.
The Good Templers will hold an apron.
neck-tie and sugar festival at their hall
next Tuesday evening, Feb. 9TH. The pub
lie are invited
c; c. Barlow has gone to New York to
work
r. g, Hubbard has been in poor health
all the winter with rheumatism
Alonzo Walcott who has been in failing
health for some time, has been more feeble
for the past week,
Meetings are held this week in the "Up-
per intervale' and Arvine Boyd school
houses
Alonzo Bugbee, who injured himself quite
severely by fall some time ago, is recov-
eling
The Baptist church has extended call
y" nov MI Phelps, which we understand
he has decided TO accept, and will be or
dained next Wednesday. We are glad To
welcome so promising a young clergyman
TO our town, and trust his work here may
be very successful
Quite number of the friends in this
place of DR.. Stafford of Sadawga paid him
visit on Wednesday evening.
II Mann, Jr,, delivers the lecture in the
citizens course this friday evening.
Mrs. q. NJ. Russell will be with friends in
the state of New York and in Bennington
for the remainder of the winter.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
o,bcr Gr.n, RniIrona nI.n.,.r..

This disaster furnishes almost an exact
parallel for the disaster at Ashtabula, Ohio.
in December. 1876 and is exceled in hor-
ror aud the number killed only hv that
great holocaust At Ashtabula long iron
bridge gave way early one morning in
binding snow storm under an express train
nf 10 cars and two engines, and bridge and
train fell on the ice 10 feet below, when the
wreck took fire and burned up. At least
/ 20 passengers were on the train and lust
how many was lost was never known. The
number was not less than 20 and probably
exceeded 100. Miss Orchard Of Newfane
was one of the victims, being then on a
visit to her relatives, President elect Hayes
and family.
The Angola disaster, which happened on
the same line with the Ashtabula. but about
100 miles this side, in December, 1867. was
Of the very same nature, and in that ~
were killed aud 40 injured.
The Norwalk, Conn, tragedy of NAV.
1853, has remained until now the worst
New England horror 30 lives were lost
therein, the cause being the running of a
passenger train into an open drawbridge.
The Revere crossing collision near Boston
in 1871, in which 90 lives were sacrificed
came near 10 rival that.
Trains have been destroyed often in con
nection with bridges, as when the Morelos
railway in Mexico was opened in 1881. and
a train conveying POO soldiers was hurled
into "A ravine by a washout, caught fire and
all were burned In 1879 a bridge over
the Tay at Dundee in Scotland blew down
with "A train that was crossing it, and "A
people were drowned
The London papers comment at length
on the Vermont disaster and conclude that
it is the worst since that at Versailles il
1912 where 80 passengers were burned, OF
since the holocaust at Abcrgele, Nortl
Wales, 1868, where 33persons were burned
10y the igniting of the kerosene They al
draw the moral that the law should regu
late the rate Of speed and require every
carriage to have axes ready for use.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
A Bellows Falls victim.

a sad and yet singular ease is that OF IA
body claimed by two parties. one claiming
1t Ia be- "a female aud the other a male. and
thu public and the doctors disagree because
Of its churred condition The clothing
watches keys, etc, identified as belonging
10 each were found with it in such man
nrr Il. to show they both died together. and
one body is entirely destroyed The re
naming trunk Is without head. arms and
extremitirs In rc-scarching the remains
the parts of clothing of the two were fully
identified hy friends of George Bell of Bel
lows Falls aud of Mrs. William Devino of
Winooski both known to have been lost
The portions Of the clothing were in such a
position as tn show conHusively that the
body was that of a man, ns was also the
identified watch. charm and chain. which
were Ia relative position to show that
they belonged 10 this body, and also bunch
of keys with his name This was cuncu-
siye rs to the identity, except that two ply
sicians said the headless trunk was that Of
a woman. while three others pronounced it
Il man. The friends of Mrs Devno chung
for while to the meager evidence that it
was her body, but finally yielded and Tues
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
The unrIov Hridv. Acc,a.p,.

The most fatal accident that ever occur
red in the previous history Of the Vermont
Central was that known as the Harlow
bridge accident which occurred December
II, 1867, aud in which 10 men were killed
and wounded, some Of the latter being
crippled for life. All of these were bridge
builders and workmen employed by the
railroad company. The accident was a
most remarkable one. The bridge, over
the Dog river, mile and half below
Northfeld, had been burned three days be
fore, and the men were engaged in erect
ing trestle work to replace it, They took
their meals in Mortified and were return
ing ~ their work in car which was
backed down 10 the spot by the engine
The engineer, Frank Abbott, considered IA
careful and responsible man, forgot for
fatal moment or two where he was, and did
not check his engine till close upon the
chasm. Suddenly realizing the danger he
reversed in time TO save the engine, but the
coupling broke, and the car was shot over
the abutment and fell 20 feet to the frozen
ground below burlington Free Press.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

A great revival is in progress in Rev.
Dr. Talmages church in Brooklyn So far
2OOO persons have been converted. There
is talk that Talmage may accept a call to
Chicago.
San Francisco had the rare visitation of
IA snow storm last Saturday the first in
several years About ) inches fell.
A shock of earthquake was very generally
felt Sunday night throughout Southern ILL
nois and Indiana.
A Victoria, B. c., despatch of Feb. 3
says The Canadian Pacific railway is
blockaded by SNOW and snow slides There
has been no through mail for IL days, and
it is uncertain when one will get through.
The mail is coming via the American roads.
Telegraph lines have been down in all di-
rections for a week, and late fierce storms
have stopped communication everywhere
The legislature has adjourned for a week
being literally frozen out. The weather is
now moderating.
The Montreal ice carnival is in full tide
and there We're magnificent scenes at the
storming of the great ice palace Wednesday
night.
Floods are doing much damage in Illinois
and in New York state.
Three persons am aged father, mother,
and their son, were burned to death Tues
day in farm house six miles from Jeffer-
son, la. Foul play is suspected,
The great strikes in New York, origi-
mating with the coal handlers, still continue
The South Boston horse car employees are
ON a strike for shorter hours and other con
cessions,
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

Rev r. d. Metcalf lectures this FRIDAY
evening on temperance at village hall
Miss NiTa A. Farnsworth has returned
from three weeks visit to friends in
Rhode Island.
Tn the evening of the 3D. inst. there was
stereopticon exhibition of around the
World, - etc, at village hall
Eli II. Porter has gone to Minnesota.
The primary department of the village
school, taught by Miss Nettie Morse, closed
a successful term ON the 4th inst. Names
OF pupils not absent or tardy: Esther
Briggs, Ella Briggs, Milly Corse, Chester
Bell, Willie Wilcox, Warner Bell Clara
Stetson took the prizes in the spelling class
Whole number Of pupils, %
+ l.. Stetson has recently added large
press to his job printing office 10 meet the
demands of his increasing business. and
with new type is ready TO do all kinds of
printing
At the regular communication of Unity
Lodge, No. ~, F. q A. NJ, held ON Thurs
day evening, Feb. 3D., the following officers
were installed George R. Faulkner, W.
NJ. Frank Crosier, S. w. A. p. Edwards,
j. W. Ezra Stetson, treas. ; +. II. Stetson,
sec. II. e. Millington, S D; 5. Murcock.
}. ID. \. A. Butterfeld, chaplain NJ. l..
Fox, marshall; f. H. Stetson, chorister (;
r. Q. Wilcox, tyler.
On Wednesday evening, Feb. 9d. p. ?.
Eliza C. Brown installed the following off
GERS of Harmony Lodge, No. 45S. X. 4 l..
of H. ; Olive NJ Stetson, P. p: ID.
Brown, P. Flora A. Faulkner, V. p:
Jane +, Dix, chaplain A. c. Stet son, treas
urer h. Ii. Stetson, secretary and fnan-
cial secretary Julian L. Fuller, Gle. A.
}. Faulkner, Gin. c. w. Dix, sentinel ;
This society is making efforts for more ac-
tive operations and effective work.
The creamery business is meeting the ex-
pectations of the people over 800 pounds
of butter are made weekly of a quality to
receive ready sale at good price in Bos-
ton market, Considerable addition is an
ucipated the coming spring. About 100
tons of ice have been stored for use the
ensuing year,
The Y. l.. W. c., Feb. 4th, was largely
attended and all had an enjoyable time,
Mrs. Ezra Stetson is convalescent.
Undertaken Taylor has been in Albany.
y. y, the past week attending Prof. Suli-
vans lectures ON embalming.
A. e. Stetson and d. q. TAYLOR attended
o. h. lawton post, g. A. R., Monday even
ing. com.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

NJ. B. Bishop of Readsboro writes us,
with reference to the present agitation for
the adoption of safe methods for heating
railroad cars that some years ago he in
vented a steam-heating apparatus embody-
ing the same general principles as are in
use by several companies at the present
time, and he thinks he has now discovered
a safer and more economical way than by
the use of steam. He says
"In my method l provide against disas-
ter by fire or by the rupture of a steam
pipe in case Of an accident | also over
come the objection that is urged against the
use of steam t. p, the condensing of steam
and the liability of its freezing and clog
ging the pipes and rendering them useless
in very cold weather. In no case would |
use steam for the purpose, or more fuel
than is used to generate the steam needed
to run the engine, and if there is any one
who desires further information upon this
subject if he will visit me at my residence
or address me at Readsboro, VT, | will
cheerfully impart such information under
reasonable and proper conditions
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

father had come down from Canada a week
before to visit the elder son Of the family at
Holyoke. The father was notary public at
his village, and left wife at home and
eight other children. Father and son were
returning home on the in fated train eve
struck the ice, - says the hoy, "and | crawl
ed out Of the window, aud then / tried to
pull my father out he could get his legs
out of the window, and that was ALL Pull
me out, he said if you break my legs.
And pulled and worked them for 10 min
utes. Then it began 10 get hot there and |
couldn't stay, and he told me to 20 away.
He got out his pocket-book and gave it to
me, but there wasn't any money in it. Then
he tried to reach around to his other pocket
where the money was, but he could not get
to it, Tell your mother good-by, he said
and then had to 90 away
There is another story of fathers death
whose details may never be told. Two
bodies, afterward identified as those Of s. $
Wescutt and his boy, were among the first
recovered aud thrown out On the ice. The
mans figure held the boy clasped tight to
his breast and both were burned beyond
recognition
In the Dead House.
Undertaken johnson accompanied the Of
iicials in their search of the ruins As fast
rs the remains were taken out they We're
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
SCENE OF THE WRECK LOOKING NORTH.

high, with three similar piers between, all
blackened and crumbling from the effects
of heat No fire or smoke was seen after
Saturday noon, when every vestige of
woodwork Of the cars and bridge had been
consumed, leaving at that time what iron
work had not gone into the river through
the ice. This was moved from the vicinity,
leaving nothing but few scattering trucks.
The surface of the ice was smooth again
from freezing since, except where gang
of 10 men were still searching for bodies
by cutting through the ice and pulling by
snatch-block portions of the wreck from
the bottom of the river In some portions
of the rivers width there are two solid
sections of ice. Owing to IA sudden thaw
about two weeks ago the river rose rapidly
at this point, covering the solid first ice to
a depth of three 10 five feet with wmter.
During the next two weeks this in turn
froze over solidly % thickness of foot
or more, leaving at the time of the disaster
two sections of slow moving water and two
sections Of solid ice In some parts the
wreck went through one section Of the ice
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

but Dillon was pinioned in the ruins and
could not be extricated. The flames crept
near and, perfectly conscious, he talked
with his friend and sent messages by him
to his parents and college friends As the
smoke and flames finally seized him young
Veazey was obliged to leave him to his fate.
Dillon was well known as the pitcher in the
Dartmouth base ball nine and bright at
tractive boy, universally liked.
Dreadful Death of "A Young Woman,
Frank Winch, a New York drummer,
tells a story of how he and others tried to
rescue a beautiful young woman who was
pinned down by heavy timber across her
breast Her dress and personal appearance
indicated that she belonged to family of
wealth and good social position. Her posi-
ton was near the point where the flames
first appeared, and as she realized the ap-
proach of her awful doom, she uttered the
most frightful cries, pleading for help with
every breath As the flames gathered fury
and drew nearer, she suddenly became
strangely calm, aud calling Winch 10 her
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

care for the hurt and help the search of
friends for the missing. A large corps Of
the leading physicians in the vicinity was
summoned at once with Drs Grinnell and
Bingham Of Burlington at the head, and
they have been unremitting in their atten-
ton to the wounded Private houses have
been cheerfnlly placed at their service, and
the hotels have been converted into hospi-
tails The leading women Of Hartford have
given themselves up to the work Of nursing
the manned victims
The ice under the bridge was 50 thick
that it did not break through under the
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
Various Hem. of In,er,.,.

Conductor Smith Sturtevant, whose res
cue from the wreck by the engineer and
fireman is described in their testimony. was
terribly mangled, his shoulder and hip he
ing crushed To jelly, He fingered until
Sunday afternoon, when death came to his
relief, He was IA member of the Fifth Yer
mont regiment, and was wounded in the
Wilderness. He had been employed by the
road % years and had run the same train
for years. He leaves a wife and seven
children.
Gov Ormsbee went promptly to the scene
OF the disaster TO render any assistance pos
slble, and Lieut.-Gov. Fuller stopped over
ON his way home from Burlington and re
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
day it was taken to Bellows Falls and bur
led
THE HEARING
BEFORE THE RAILROAD COMMITS
SIONERS

The board Of railroad commissioners, ex-
Gov. Pingree chairman, began their inves-
tigation of the accident promptly on Monday
afternoon. There is said TO have been am
effort by the railroad attorneys to have the
reporters kept out, but if they ever thought
Of such thing they dropped it, and the
newspaper men ON the ground give Gov.
flngree the credit Of seeming To have com
plete command of the whole subject and a
determination TO sift the case thoroughly.
In examining the first witness he said that
any citizen was at liberty TO suggest any
question that would throw light ON the ac-
eldent aud its cause. Guy c. Noble and c.
W Writer'S appear as attorneys for the
railroad company, and ex Gov. Smith and
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11
WEDNESDAYS HEARING.

The commissioners completed their inves-
tlgation for the present on "Wednesday. In
the morning they went by special train To
the scene Of the wreck, and made personal
examination of the roadbed. On their ar
rival Engineer Pierce got upon the engine
and explained to them the workings of the
air brake, pointing out the exact points
where the brakes were applied and left off
IN approaching the bridge Friday night.
The first fact ascertained was that the ex-
act place where the first rail broke was on
"A wide tie, and not between two ties. The
remainder of the investigation was of the
marks upon the ties made by the derailed
wheels On their return to White River
junction the commissioners visited such of
the wounded MS We're in condition to be seen
aud took their testimony. This consisted i'm
the main of a relation of personal expert
ences similar to those already given, and
added no new facts 10 those already known
Further hearings viii probably be held in
few days,
note received this morning from Mr.
Watson, the clerk of the board, saws that
the investigation will probably be complet-
ed and a report upon it made public next
week. No conclusions can yet be drawn "
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-11

told him she knew she must die aud asked
him to pray with her He knet ON the ice
and prayed, while she in low tone follow
ed his duplication. II was a. fearful scene,
the groans aud shreks Of the wounded,
the mass Of ruins in the midst Of snow and
ice. with the light from the burning, crack
ling timbcrs throwing a lurid glare over
the scene. When the fire had come so
near that the lady had 10 be left 10 her fate,
Winch withdrew and turned his head away
to avoid the horrible sight. The woman
was burned b. an unrecugnizable mass.
Fathers aud SONS,
Joseph Maigret, a French boy aged ~ or
II, tells IA touching story lie and his